Caring for a loved one with cancer

Supporting a loved one or family member that has cancer can be extremely difficult. Contraction and treatment of cancer can be a very draining ordeal for the patient. Pain can occur in multiple stages. This discomfort can be severe and often has debilitating side effects. Seeing a loved one in pain is distressing. In these moments, a caregiver – whether a friend, family member, or professional – can provide vital support for you both.

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Key Takeaways

Share the load

Create a clear list of tasks and divide them between family, friends, and professionals. This prevents burnout and ensures your loved one gets the best possible care.

Listen without fixing

Being a good listener is often more valuable than giving advice. Provide a private, quiet space and allow your loved one to lead the conversation and express their true feelings.

Know your limits

Recognise that you cannot do everything alone. Setting boundaries and involving specialists like District Nurses or Occupational Therapists is vital for both your wellbeing and theirs.

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Caring for someone with cancer can feel overwhelming at first. However, with the right advice and compassion, you can make life easier for yourself and your loved one. Depending on the person’s needs, you may need to provide different types of support. This may include:

• Emotional support
• Help with medical care
• You might help with financial and insurance issues. You may also act as the main link between the person and their medical team

Of course, everyone has their care requirements that need to be seriously taken into consideration when caring for them, however, here is some advice if this is your first time caring.

Start by making a list of all your caregiving tasks

Try ordering them by importance. Then, use the list to decide how to divide the tasks between friends, family, professionals, and other volunteers. Learn more about sharing responsibilities.

Be proactive

Take charge and plan as much as possible to prevent last-minute emergencies. This can also help provide a sense of control and order. Create a simple schedule. List which friend or volunteer is available, when they can help, and what they will do. Make sure that all of the caregivers involved have some time to be away without feeling guilty or concerned. Long-distance caregiving takes even more planning. Find out more about how to be an effective long-distance caregiver.

Be a problem solver

Identify problems, find out what is needed, and follow-through. Do not be afraid to seek advice and help from others. Look for creative solutions that work for you and the person you care for.

Find out more about our cancer homecare services

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Be a good listener

A good listener tries to be aware of someone’s thoughts and feelings as much as they can. You don’t need to have all the answers. Just listening to a person’s concerns or worries can be hugely helpful.

A good listener tries to really tune in and listen to a person in the moment. Listening is an important part of providing emotional support.

Here are some tips on how to listen well.

• Try to keep the setting private, relaxed and with few distractions.
• Maintain eye contact but don’t stare.
• Let the person with cancer lead the conversation and try not to interrupt.
• Give your full attention to what they are saying.
• If you’re finding it difficult or upsetting don’t change the subject – say how you feel, this can prevent any awkwardness.
• If they cry, don’t try to cheer them up. Reassure them that it’s OK to be sad and that it’s a normal response to what’s happening to them.
• A friendly touch of the hand can help but if they pull away give them space.
• Try not to give advice unless they have asked for it.
• Don’t use humour unless they have used it themselves.
• Silences are OK, don’t feel like you have to fill them with words.

Try to stay positive

Having a positive attitude can help set the tone for all that you do. You may not have control of what happens to you, but you can change how you react. To help cope, talk with other members of the caregiving team. You may also wish to talk with friends, religious or spiritual advisors, counsellors, and health care professionals.

Try not to

• Say you know how they feel – we can’t ever know exactly how someone with cancer feels.
• Tell them to ‘be strong’ or ‘be positive’ – it puts pressure on them to behave a certain way.
• Take things personally if they seem angry or upset or don’t want to talk.
• Offer advice that they haven’t asked for.
• Compare their situation to somebody else you know, each person’s experience with cancer is unique.

Recognise your strengths and weaknesses as a caregiver. This allows you to set boundaries and know when to ask for help. Setting limits can help you and the person you care for. The person you care for can exercise some independence, while you get a break. It is important to recognize when you need a break, so you don’t feel burned out. Learn more about how caregivers can take care of themselves.

Remember, if you’re looking after a loved one with cancer, there are health and social care professionals who can support you.

• A GP – who has overall responsibility for the healthcare of someone who is being cared for at home.
• A key worker – who might be a specialist nurse or social worker. They will be your main point of contact who can answer any questions.
• District and community nurses – who help with nursing tasks at home, such as wound dressings.
• The community specialist palliative care team – who helps control pain or other symptoms as well as offering emotional support.
• An occupational therapist (OT) – who makes sure the person you care for is safe and comfortable at home. They can suggest and arrange minor changes to their home.
• A physiotherapist – who helps the person if they have problems moving around.
• Social workers – who will do a carer’s assessment or community care assessment to see what practical and social help you and the person you care for needs.

How can Cavendish Homecare help?

At Cavendish Homecare we are experts in providing private cancer homecare for clients who want to remain in their own homes. When it comes to your health and wellbeing, choosing the right homecare package is of utmost importance and navigating this process can be overwhelming. With Cavendish Homecare by your side, you’ll have the support you need to remain safely at home while enjoying elevated health and wellbeing.

If you would like to enquire about our homecare services, contact us on, 02030085210 or email us at info@cavendishhomecare.com.

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